Regional Centres

The Basel Convention Regional and Coordinating Centres

The Basel Convention benefits from a network of 14 Regional and Coordinating Centres for Capacity Building and Technology Transfer (BCRCs).

The centres focus is on training and technology transfer regarding the management of hazardous and other wastes and the minimization of their generation. These autonomous institutions operate under the authority of the Conference of the Parties, the decision-making organ of the Convention composed of all the countries party to the Convention.

The Regional centres have been established either in inter-governmental institutions or in national institutions that possessed relevant expertise and capacity to undertake the task of providing technical assistance and capacity building at the regional level. The BCRCs are established through a framework agreement between the host government /institution and the Secretariat on behalf of the Conference of the Parties. The framework agreements of each of the centres guide them on their roles and responsibilities.

The Basel Convention Regional Centres and Coordinating Centres have been given clear mandates on their core functions and responsibilities. A methodology for the evaluation of their performances was also developed, based on specific criteria. These mandates and guidance aim at ensuring efficient regional delivery of technical assistance in a highly professional manner.

Geographic locations of the Regional Centres

Note: BCRC CAM located in El Salvador has been closed down since 4 May 2017